Puzzling World’s latest $2.5 million puzzle in place

A Wanaka tourism business
that has wowed close to three million customers since first
opening its doors nearly 40 years ago is celebrating the
latest addition to its world unique attraction.

Puzzling
World’s vision for more amazement and magic in line with
its philosophy of ‘puzzling eccentricity’ has
materialised in the $2.5million SculptIllusion Gallery,
complete with moving, living walls, floating objects and 3D
illusions.

Heidi Landsborough and Duncan Spear –
daughter and son-in-law respectively of Puzzling World
pioneers Stuart and Jan Landsborough -- put pen to paper
three years ago to draft the latest optical illusion.

Ms
Landsborough, Puzzling World’s General Manager, and Mr
Spear, who is Operations Manager, said they were
“delighted” with how architect Barry Condon of Sarah
Scott Architects and Amalgamated Builders of Queenstown
(ABL) had translated their vision.

“This was a very
different build, cast in concrete with many components which
we changed throughout the process to improve the design or
accommodate challenges,” said Mr Spear.

They wanted to
bring more light into the building and worked with Mr Condon
to design a system of windows to direct sunlight into an
area that was previously dark and sunless.

The size of
the build also required extensive upgrading to the
facility’s amenities including new stormwater and sewerage
upgrades and an increase of parking spaces.Mr Spear said
the success of both the SculptIllusion room and the behind
the scenes amenities was down to good relationships and good
workmanship.

“For us as a family business we really
value the relationship we’ve made with ABL. We really felt
that they had our best interests at heart, always suggesting
and researching different materials and products to improve
the build or the budget,” he said.

“From the first
tender straight through to completion they’ve been
fantastic.”

Amalgamated Builders quantity surveyor for
the project, Brett Squire, said challenges were always
expected in any construction but said it ranked as one of
his favourite projects in his eight years at ABL.

“It
was a geometrically complex building and much of the build
occurred in the winter in the shadow of a mountain,” he
said.

“This meant that aside from a very cold
construction site, the ground froze which affected the logic
of the build and the way we continued.

“Now it’s great
to think when you look at the SculptIllusion gallery that we
had a hand to play in the creation of it. It’s a real
showpiece and we’re immensely proud of the result.”

He
said any issues were overcome by keeping an open and
collaborative approach between Mr Condon and Puzzling World,
something echoed by Mr Condon.

“A spirit of
co-operation prevailed throughout this challenging
project,” he said. “We had much positive contribution
from the contractors regarding illusion items outside of the
scope of their contract and often with a good sense of
humour.”

Ms Landsborough said the great working
relationship on site had really made the process easier,
especially on a project so close to her heart.

“This
addition is the final piece to the family’s legacy of
providing amusement and puzzlement to Wanaka and the
thousands of tourists that visit each year,” she said.

“Although we attract tourists from around the world we
remain a set up that’s built on solid and positive
relationships, and we really experienced that with ABL and
Barry,” she said.

Officially the SculptIllusion Gallery
opens in March to coincide with the business’ 40 year
anniversary, but Ms Landsborough said it was already open to
the public for the school holidays.

“It’s the perfect
opportunity for us to look at the public’s reaction and
see if we need to make any small adjustments before
March,” she said.

The 530sq m illusionary sculpture
room is the fifth and largest Illusion Room and was built
over eight-and-a-half months by ABL for approximately $2.5
million. The attraction includes a turned-on tap that seems
to float in the air, benches that seem to have no stands, a
cascading ceiling, columns that become people, a vertical
garden and a unique collection of sculptures from local and
national artists.

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